U.S. patent number 10,247,895 [Application Number 15/267,393] was granted by the patent office on 2019-04-02 for side plane.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Ciena Corporation. The grantee listed for this patent is Ciena Corporation. Invention is credited to Kevin Estabrooks, Adrianus Van Gaal, Daniel Rivaud.
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United States Patent |
10,247,895 |
Rivaud , et al. |
April 2, 2019 |
Side plane
Abstract
A system includes a first blade including a first side of the
first blade, a second side of the first blade, a front of the first
blade, and a back of the first blade. The system further includes a
second blade including a first side of the second blade, a second
side of the second blade, a front of the second blade, and a back
of the second blade. The system further includes a first side plane
including a first physical communication channel configured to
communicatively connect the first blade to the second blade via the
first side of the first blade and the first side of the second
blade.
Inventors: |
Rivaud; Daniel (Ottawa,
CA), Estabrooks; Kevin (Nepean, CA), Gaal;
Adrianus Van (Ottawa, CA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ciena Corporation |
Hanover |
MD |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Ciena Corporation (Hanover,
MD)
|
Family
ID: |
61620252 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/267,393 |
Filed: |
September 16, 2016 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20180081137 A1 |
Mar 22, 2018 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05K
7/1492 (20130101); G02B 6/4452 (20130101); H01F
2038/143 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G02B
6/44 (20060101); H05K 7/14 (20060101); H01F
38/14 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;361/825 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
"Spring-Loaded Connectors", obtained on Jul. 2016 from
www.precidip.com, 12 pages. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Willis; Tremesha S
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Clements Bernard Walker PLLC
Bernard; Christopher L. Baratta, Jr.; Lawrence A.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A system comprising: a first blade comprising a first side of
the first blade, a second side of the first blade, a front of the
first blade, and a back of the first blade; a second blade
comprising a first side of the second blade, a second side of the
second blade, a front of the second blade, and a back of the second
blade; and a first side plane on a first side of the system, the
first side plane comprising a first physical communication channel
configured to communicatively connect the first blade to the second
blade via the first side of the first blade and the first side of
the second blade; wherein each of the first blade and the second
blade is a modular device that includes electrical components to
perform a function in a network, and wherein each of the first
blade and the second blade is configured to slide into position
between the first side of the system and an opposing second side of
the system to connect to the first physical communication channel
on the first side plane.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising, on the second side of
the system, a second side plane comprising a second physical
communication channel configured to communicatively connect the
first blade to the second blade via the second side of the first
blade and the second side of the second blade.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the second physical communication
channel is redundant of the first physical communication
channel.
4. The system of claim 2, wherein the second physical communication
channel performs a different function than the first physical
communication channel.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first side plane comprises a
first portion of an inductive coupler, wherein a second portion of
the inductive coupler is located on the first blade, and wherein
the first portion of the inductive coupler and the second portion
of the inductive coupler are configured to communicate via
inductive coupling.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first side plane comprises an
exposed electrical contact configured to communicatively connect
the first blade to the first physical communication channel.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first side plane comprises an
optical port that is configured to communicatively connect the
first blade to the first physical communication channel.
8. A system comprising: a connection structure connecting a first
side to a second side; a first blade comprising a third side and a
fourth side; a second blade comprising a fifth side and a sixth
side; and a first side plane physically coupled to the first side,
interposed between the third side and the first side, and
interposed between the fifth side and the first side, the first
side plane comprising a physical communication channel configured
to communicatively connect the first blade to the second blade;
wherein each of the first blade and the second blade is a modular
device that includes electrical components to perform a function in
a network, and wherein each of the first blade and the second blade
is configured to slide into position between the first side and the
second side to connect to the physical communication channel.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the first side plane comprises a
first portion of an inductive coupler, wherein a second portion of
the inductive coupler is located on the first blade, and wherein
the first portion of the inductive coupler and the second portion
of the inductive coupler are configured to communicate via
inductive coupling.
10. The system of claim 8, wherein the first side plane comprises
an exposed electrical contact configured to communicatively connect
the first blade to the physical communication channel.
11. The system of claim 8, wherein the first side plane comprises
an optical port that is configured to communicatively connect the
first blade to the physical communication channel.
12. The system of claim 8, further comprising: a mounting bracket
configured to affix the first blade in a static position to the
first side, wherein the mounting bracket is attached to at least
one of the third side and a front of the first blade.
13. The system of claim 8, wherein the first blade has a different
length than the second blade.
14. A system comprising: a frame comprising a first side of the
frame, a second side of the frame, and a connection structure
connecting the first side of the frame to the second side of the
frame, wherein the frame is configured to mount, in between the
first side of the frame and the second side of the frame, a first
blade and a second blade; and a first side plane physically coupled
to the first side of the frame, the first side plane comprising a
first physical communication channel configured to communicatively
connect the first blade to the second blade, wherein each of the
first blade and the second blade is a modular device that includes
electrical components to perform a function in a network, and
wherein each of the first blade and the second blade is configured
to slide into position between the first side of the frame and the
second side of the frame to connect to the first physical
communication channel.
15. The system of claim 14, further comprising: a second side plane
physically coupled to the second side of the frame, the second side
plane comprising a second physical communication channel configured
to communicatively connect the first blade to the second blade.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the second physical
communication channel is redundant of the first physical
communication channel.
17. The system of claim 15, wherein the second physical
communication channel performs a different function than the first
physical communication channel.
18. The system of claim 14, wherein the first side plane comprises
a first portion of an inductive coupler, wherein a second portion
of the inductive coupler is located on the first blade, and wherein
the first portion of the inductive coupler and the second portion
of the inductive coupler are configured to communicate via
inductive coupling.
19. The system of claim 14, wherein the first side plane comprises
an exposed electrical contact configured to communicatively connect
the first blade to the first physical communication channel.
20. The system of claim 14, wherein the first side plane comprises
an optical port that is configured to communicatively connect the
first blade to the first physical communication channel.
Description
BACKGROUND
Often, the functionality of a computing system is not achieved by a
single encapsulated device, but rather through an interconnection
of multiple devices. When the devices are collocated in a single
room, the devices may be mounted in a rack. In some cases, the rack
mounted devices that are co-located may not have a direct
communication channel. In other cases, the rack mounted devices may
communicate via wires or a backplane that provides communication
between devices by being connected to the back of each device. In
particular, the wires, backplane, and devices connect via physical
sockets and plugs to establish communication. Thus, the individual
devices mounted on the rack may plug into the wires or backplane
and communicate with each other.
SUMMARY
In general, in one aspect, one or more embodiments relate to a
system that includes a first blade including a first side of the
first blade, a second side of the first blade, a front of the first
blade, and a back of the first blade. The system further includes a
second blade including a first side of the second blade, a second
side of the second blade, a front of the second blade, and a back
of the second blade. The system further includes a first side plane
including a first physical communication channel configured to
communicatively connect the first blade to the second blade via the
first side of the first blade and the first side of the second
blade.
In general, in one aspect, one or more embodiments relate to a
system that includes a connection structure connecting a first side
to a second side, a first blade comprising a third side and a
fourth side, a second blade comprising a fifth side and a sixth
side, and a first side plane physically coupled to the first side,
interposed between the third side and the first side, and
interposed between the fifth side and the first side. The first
side plane includes a physical communication channel configured to
communicatively connect the first blade to the second blade.
In general, in one aspect, one or more embodiments relate to a
system. The system includes a frame including a first side of the
frame, a second side of the frame, and a connection structure
connecting the first side of the frame to the second side of the
frame. The frame is configured to mount, in between the first side
of the frame and the second side of the frame, a first blade and a
second blade. The system further includes a first side plane
physically coupled to the first side of the frame, the first side
plane including a first physical communication channel configured
to communicatively connect the first blade to the second blade.
Other aspects of the invention will be apparent from the following
description and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1.1, 1.2, 2, 3, and 4 show schematic diagrams in accordance
with one or more embodiments of the invention.
FIGS. 5, 6.1, 6.2, 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3 show example communication
interfaces that may be used in the side plane in accordance with
one or more embodiments of the invention.
FIG. 8 shows a flowchart in accordance with one or more embodiments
of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described in
detail with reference to the accompanying figures. Like elements in
the various figures are denoted by like reference numerals for
consistency.
In the following detailed description of embodiments of the
invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to
provide a more thorough understanding of the invention. However, it
will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the
invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other
instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to
avoid unnecessarily complicating the description.
Throughout the application, ordinal numbers (e.g., first, second,
third, etc.) may be used as an adjective for an element (i.e., any
noun in the application). The use of ordinal numbers is not to
imply or create any particular ordering of the elements nor to
limit any element to being only a single element unless expressly
disclosed, such as by the use of the terms "before", "after",
"single", and other such terminology. Rather, the use of ordinal
numbers is to distinguish between the elements. By way of an
example, a first element is distinct from a second element, and the
first element may encompass more than one element and succeed (or
precede) the second element in an ordering of elements.
Further, throughout the application, physical relationships between
components are described. In such embodiments, one skilled in the
art having benefit of this disclosure will appreciate that certain
margins of error may exist. Such margins of error are in accordance
with manufacturing guidelines and defects. Thus, embodiments are
not limited to exact relationship described, but rather include
margins of error (e.g., on the order of millimeters or a
centimeter, etc.).
In general, embodiments of the invention are directed to a side
plane that provides an interconnection between blades in a frame.
Rather than being located on the back of the blades and the frame,
the side plane is mounted to the side of the frame. In particular,
the side plane includes connection sets that may be directly
connected to each blade and communication channels that
interconnect the connection sets. Thus, through the side plane, the
blades in the frame may communicate.
FIGS. 1.1, 1.2, 2, 3, and 4 show schematic diagrams of systems in
accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. In the
figures, black solid collinear dots indicate that additional
components similar to the components before and after the solid
collinear dots may optionally exist. White dots represent a
possible fastener to connect the blade to the frame.
Turning to FIG. 1.1, the system may include one or more blades
(e.g., blade 1 (102), blade N (104)), a frame (106), and at least
one side plane (124). The blades (e.g., blade 1 (102), blade N
(104)) are modular devices that include electrical components and
perform a function. In one or more embodiments, each blade may be
an individual computing device. The individual computing device may
include one or more computer processors, non-persistent storage
(e.g., volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM), cache
memory), persistent storage (e.g., a hard disk, an optical drive
such as a compact disk (CD) drive or digital versatile disk (DVD)
drive, a flash memory, etc.), a communication interface (e.g.,
Bluetooth interface, infrared interface, network interface, optical
interface, etc.), and numerous other elements and functionalities.
The computer processor(s) may be an integrated circuit for
processing instructions. For example, the computer processor(s) may
be one or more cores or micro-cores of a processor. The
communication interface may include an integrated circuit for
connecting the computing system to a network (not shown) (e.g., a
local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) such as the
Internet, mobile network, or any other type of network) and/or to
another device, such as another blade. The blade may be a
stripped-down server computer designed to minimize the use of
physical space and energy. For example, the individual computing
device may be a server, line card, controller, switch, or another
device.
In one or more embodiments, the blades may include multiple
individual computing devices inside of the blades. For example,
blades may have sub-devices inside the blade.
The blades may be of varying sizes. In other words, the length
(e.g., distance from front to back) and/or height (distance from
top to bottom) of each blade may be heterogeneous. In other words,
the lengths of the blades may vary intentionally. Thus, the
variance may be more than a margin of error (e.g., by three or more
centimeters). In at least some embodiments, the widths of the
blades are the same within a predefined margin of error.
FIG. 1.2 shows a block diagram of blade 1 (102) in FIG. 1.1. For
reference purposes, the top (108) and front (110) of the blade 1
(102) is shown in both FIGS. 1.1 and 1.2. In other words, the top
(108) and front (110) of the blade 1 blade 1 (102) is the same in
both FIGS. 1.1 and 1.2. As shown in FIG. 1.2, blade 1 blade 1 (102)
includes a top (108), bottom (112), front (110), sides (e.g., side
D (116), side C (118)), and back (114). The top (108) of the blade
is the portion of the blade that is above the remainder of the
blade when the blade is mounted in the frame. The bottom (112) of
the blade is below the remainder of the blade when the blade is
mounted in the frame. The front (110) of the blade is a portion of
the blade that is visible to a network engineer. In one or more
embodiments, the blades slides into the frame such that the front
is exposed. The front of the blade may have lights, a screen, and
other physical user interface components to present information to
a user. The sides (e.g., side D (116), side C (118)) of a blade are
configured to be adjacent to the sides of the frame. Further, the
sides of the blade connect the front of the blade to the back of
the blade, and the bottom of the blade to the top of the blade.
Specifically, the blades may slide into the frame along the length
of the sides, such that more and more portions of the sides of the
frame and blade are adjacent.
Although FIG. 1.2 shows a blade in the shape of a box, a blade may
be enclosed or open. By way of an example of enclosed, a blade may
be in a pizza box form factor. In other words, a case may surround
the blade. By way of an example of an open, the blade may have the
components described above, without a top portion of a case, side
portions of the case, a bottom portion of the case, or without
having any combination thereof. However, even when open, the blade
has a top, bottom, front, sides, and back. Further, although FIG.
1.2 shows blade 1 (e.g., blade 1 (102), blade N (104)), the
remainder of the blades in the frame has the same components as
shown in FIG. 1.2.
Returning to FIG. 1.1, the frame (106) is a physical structure that
is configured to mount the blades. As shown in FIG. 1.1, the frame
is configured to mount the blades vertically such that the top of
the blade is in the same direction as the top of the frame. For
example, the frame may be a server rack, a chassis, or other such
physical structure for mounting blades. In some embodiments, the
frame is composed, at least partially, of a metal material. Other
materials may be used without departing from the scope of the
invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the frame may include functionality
to mount multiple blades (e.g., blade 1 blade 1 (102), blade N
(104), other blades (not shown)) vertically. Although FIG. 1.1,
shows the blades as being vertically in the middle of the frame,
the blades may span the length of the interior of the frame, may be
vertically located at the bottom and/or top portion of the frame,
etc.
The frame (106) includes two sides (e.g., side A (120) and side B
(122)) and at least one connection structure (130). The connection
structure (130) physically connects side A (120) to side B (122).
The connection structure (130) may be a base, such as shown in FIG.
1.1, a top (not shown), and/or a mid-support structure that is in
between the top of the frame and the bottom of the frame. The
connection structure and sides may be formed of the same material,
or may be physically attached to each other via fasteners. The
frame may further include a front and a back (not shown). For
example, the front may be a door or another removable component
that allows the blade to be inserted into the frame.
Continuing with FIG. 1.1, one or more mounting brackets (126) may
mount the blade to the frame (106). The mounting brackets are shown
as solid squares (with white circles) in the front of the blades of
FIG. 1.1. As shown in FIG. 1.1, the mounting brackets may be
affixed to the front of the blades and the front of the sides of
the frames. In one or more embodiments of the invention, the
circles in the mounting brackets may be holes for screws or other
fasteners to affix the mounting bracket to the side of the frame
and the blade. A mounting bracket may be a separate component or a
part of the blade or frame. In one or more embodiments of the
invention, the mounting bracket maintains the blades in a static
position in the frame. FIG. 1.1 show a flush mount version of the
frame and blades. In other words, the blades are in a flush mount
with the frame, such that the front of the blades are flush with
the frame.
As shown in FIG. 1.1, a side plane (124) is interposed between a
side of the frame and a side of each blade. The side plane (124) is
affixed to the frame, such as through one or more fasteners. For
example, the fasteners may be brackets, adhesive, screws, other
type of fastener, or any combination thereof. The side plane is
physical structure that is configured to communicatively couple
blades in the frame. In other words, the side plane (124) includes
physical interconnect, that when operating, can transmit a signal
between blades in the frame. The physical interconnect operatively
connects to the blades via connections (128). The connections may
be based on near field communications and/or direct connections.
The side plane (124) may be completely interposed between the
blades and the frame or only partially interposed between the
blades and the frame. For example, the side plane may be smaller
than the sides of the blades and/or the frame. The side plane may
be made using printed circuit boards, cable, or another
material.
In addition to a physical interconnect, the side plane (124) may
include one or more active components. An active component is a
component that uses power to provide a function. In other words, an
active component is an electronic device that is operable to
performed a function. Examples of active components that may be
located on the side plane include computer processors,
non-persistent storage, persistent storage, digital logic unit,
field programmable gate array, or another a device that uses power.
The side plane is described in further detail with reference to
FIG. 4.
Although FIG. 1.1 shows a single side plane, at least two side
planes may exist, whereby the two side planes are located on each
side of the blade. In other words, a side plane (124) may be
interposed between the side of the blade and the side of the frame,
and another side plane may be interposed between the other side of
the blade and the other side of the frame. The side planes may be
redundant of each other and/or provide different functionality than
each other. For example, when redundant, if one of the side planes
is inoperable (e.g., disabled, defective, or have another condition
preventing communication), the other side plane may perform the
functionality of the interconnect. Thus, the redundancy allows for
a side plane to be replaced without interrupting operations of the
blades. Furthermore, with redundant functionality, additional
signally bandwidth may be achieved between blades of the frames
through the physical communication channels of both blades. With
different functionality, the multiple side planes provide for a
greater number of connections than a single side plane. Thus,
having two possible side planes allows for upgrading the side
without disabling the system. Additionally, a larger plane may be
added to a side to provide more connections.
Further, although not shown in FIG. 1.1, the system may include a
backplane. In other words, the existence of a side plane and a
backplane are not mutually exclusive. Thus, side planes (124) may
exist on the sides of the device and a backplane may exist on the
back of the device.
FIG. 2 shows another configuration of a system in accordance with
one or more embodiments of the invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the
system includes a frame (206) having sides (e.g., side A (220),
side B (222)) and a connection structure (230). The frame (206) is
configured to mount blades (e.g., blade 1 (202), blade N (204)).
The blades (e.g., blade 1 (202), blade N (204)) may include a front
(210), back (214), side C (218), and side D (216). The blades may
be affixed to the frame via mounting brackets (226). Interposed
between the blades and at least on side of the frame is side plane
(224) having connections (228). The frame (206), sides (e.g., side
A (220), side B (222)) of the frame, connection structure (230),
blades (e.g., blade 1 (202), blade N (204)), front (210), back
(214), side C (218), side D (216), mounting brackets (226), side
plane (224), and connections (228) is the same or similar to frame
(106), sides (e.g., side A (120), side B (122)) of the frame,
connection structure (130), blades (e.g., blade 1 (102), blade N
(104)), front (110), back (114), side C (118), side D (116),
mounting brackets (126), side plane (124), and connections
(128).
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the blades are flush mounted to
the frame and are of varying sizes. At least some of the blades
(e.g., blade 1 (202)) may extend beyond the back of the frame (206)
while other blades (e.g., blade N (204)) may have a length less
than the length of the frame. By using a side plane, the blades do
not need to extend to the back of the frame. Thus, the blades may
be of varying lengths and still connect with each other.
FIG. 3 shows another configuration of a system in accordance with
one or more embodiments of the invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the
system includes a frame (306) having sides (e.g., side A (320),
side B (322)) and a connection structure (330). The frame (306) is
configured to mount blades (e.g., blade 1 (302), blade N (304)).
The blades (e.g., blade 1 (302), blade N (304)) may include a front
(310), back (314), side C (318), and side D (316). The blades may
be affixed to the frame via mounting brackets (326). Interposed
between the blades and at least on side of the frame is side plane
(324) having connections (328). The frame (306), sides (e.g., side
A (320), side B (322)) of the frame, connection structure (330),
blades (e.g., blade 1 (302), blade N (304)), front (310), back
(314), side C (318), side D (316), mounting brackets (326), side
plane (324), and connections (328) is the same or similar to frame
(106), sides (e.g., side A (120), side B (122)) of the frame,
connection structure (130), blades (e.g., blade 1 (102), blade N
(104)), front (110), back (114), side C (118), side D (116),
mounting brackets (126), side plane (124), and connections
(128).
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the blades are side mounted to
the frame and are of varying sizes. For example, the mounting
bracket (326) connects to the side (e.g., side C (318)) of the
blades and the front of the frame. Thus, the blade is not flush to
the frame. The blades may be of varying sizes and may or may not
extent to or past the back of the frame. By using a side plane, the
blades may be in various configurations with respect to the
frame.
All combinations of the various embodiments shown in FIGS. 1.1,
1.2, 3, and 4 are contemplated herein. In other words, one or more
embodiments are not limited to the individual configurations shown
in FIGS. 1.1, 1.2, 3, and 4.
FIG. 4 shows an example of a side plane (424) in accordance with
one or more embodiments of the invention. As shown in the example
in FIG. 4, the side plane (424) includes vertically stacked
connection sets (e.g., connection set A (402), connection set N
(404)) and one or more communication channels between the stacked
connection sets. Each connection set is a set of one or more
connections (e.g., physical interfaces) to connect to an individual
blade. The communication channel is a physical communication
channel that provides a path for signals to travel between
connections that are connected to different blades. For example,
the physical communication paths may be optical paths defined by
wave guides, conductive traces on a printed circuit board, fiber,
or another physical path type.
In one or more embodiments of the invention, the connections of the
side plane are flush with the side plane and blade or configured to
be movable to allow the blades to slide into position. FIGS. 5,
6.1, 6.2, 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3 show example connections that may be
used in the side plane in accordance with one or more embodiments
of the invention. Different types of connections may exist. For
example, the connections may implement inductive coupling,
conductive material brush contacts, spring loaded pins, optical
connections, and a ball and clamping mechanism.
Turning to FIG. 5, FIG. 5 shows an example of a connection set
(502) having an optical port (504) to implement an optical
connection. For example, a laser on the blade may shine light to
the optical port, which connects to a channel. The channel may
guide the light to another port to another blade. As another
example, the side plane may include an optical-electrical
interconnect. Thus, the optical may be a free space optical or
implemented through waveguides.
FIGS. 6.1 and 6.2 show examples of connections formed by portions
of inductive coupling. Turning to FIG. 6.2, a current flows (e.g.,
current A) through a first portion (602) of the inductive coupler.
The first portion (602) of the inductive coupler may be on the side
plane. The current induces a current (e.g., induced current B) on a
second portion (604) of the inductive coupler, whereby the second
portion (604) may be located on the blade. A similar mechanism may
be used to transmit a signal from the blade to the side plane. For
example, a current on the blade may induce a current on the side
plane. Variations in the current may correspond to a signal that is
interpreted by the blade. In FIG. 6.1, the first portion (602) and
the second portion (604) are shown as overlaid. A gap, such as by
applying a non-conductive conformal coating on each portion, may
exist to prevent current to flow between the loops. Thus, a small
electromagnetic field may be induced to create the signal.
FIGS. 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3 show electrical connections that may be
connected to or part of the side plane. In particular, FIG. 7.1
shows a brush mount (700). The brush mount (700) includes a
conductive material that bends and connects to electrical
components. The brush mount (700) may be mounted on the blade. In
such a scenario, the brush mount may be connected to an electrical
connection on the blade. When the blade slides into position on the
side plane, the brush mount may be connected to a conductive pad on
the side plane. By way of another example, the brush mount may be
mounted on the side plane and connected to electrical components on
the side plane. When the blade slides into position, the brush
mount on the side plane connects to conductive pads on the
blade.
FIG. 7.2 shows an example of a spring loaded pin (710) in
accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. The
spring loaded pin (710) includes a barrel, spring, and plunger. The
barrel holds the plunger, and the spring applies a force to push
the plunger into place. Similar to FIG. 7.1, when the blade is in
place, the spring pushes the plunger against a conductive pad. The
spring loaded pin (710) may be located on the blade or the side
plane.
FIG. 7.3 shows another example of an electrical connection that may
be used in accordance with one or more embodiments of the
invention. The electrical connection may be achieved through flush
contacts (720) on the blade and the side plane.
FIG. 8 shows a flowchart in accordance with one or more embodiments
of the invention. In Step 801, a side plane is installed onto the
frame in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention.
For example, the side plane may be affixed to the frame using one
or more fasteners.
In Step 803, blades are installed onto the frame and the side plane
in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. The
blades may be slid into the frame from the front of the frame to
the back of the frame. Because of the mechanism or mechanisms for
connections, the blades are capable of being slid into place while
still allowing for the blades to communicatively connect to the
side plane.
In Step 805, a determination is made whether communication is
achieved.
In particular, because one or more embodiments may rely on an
alignment of connections on the blade and the side plane,
communication may be suboptimal or not achieved when a misalignment
occurs. The system may be configured to test for misalignment by
checking signal strength and/or a checksum transmitted between the
blade and the side plane. If the signal strength is below a
threshold or the checksum is incorrect, the determination may be
made that the blade and side plane are misaligned. A user may be
informed of the misalignment via a user interface component on the
blade, frame, side plane, etc. If a determination is made that
communication is not achieved, the flow may proceed to Step 807. In
Step 807, the position of at least one blade is changed. In other
words, the blade may be move with respect to the side plane. The
flow may return to Step 805 to check for realignment.
If communication is achieved, the flow may proceed to end and the
blades may be used. In other words, power may be provided to the
side plane(s) and the blades through the side plane. The blades may
communicate with each other through the side plane. Although not
discussed above, the side plane may include additional
communication channels to connect the blades to external
communication devices via external communication links (e.g., not
within the frame).
As shown, the side plane does not restrict the blades to a
particular depth, such as when designing a new blade. Further, by
having multiple side planes, a side plane may be upgraded without
affecting an operation of the system. Moreover, with the
connections on the side, the side plane may reduce insertion force
and eliminate bent pins.
While the above FIGs shows a configuration of components, other
configurations may be used without departing from the scope of the
invention. For example, various components may be combined to
create a single component. As another example, the functionality
performed by a single component may be performed by two or more
components.
Embodiments of the invention may be implemented on a computing
system. The computing system may also include one or more input
device(s), such as a touchscreen, keyboard, mouse, microphone,
touchpad, electronic pen, or any other type of input device.
Further, the computing system may include one or more output
device(s), such as a screen (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD),
a plasma display, touchscreen, cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor,
projector, or other display device), a printer, external storage,
or any other output device. One or more of the output device(s) may
be the same or different from the input device(s). The computing
system may be connected to a network (e.g., a local area network
(LAN), a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, mobile
network, or any other type of network) via a network interface
connection (not shown). The input and output device(s) may be
locally or remotely (e.g., via the network) connected to the
computer processor(s), memory, and storage device(s). Many
different types of computing systems exist, and the aforementioned
input and output device(s) may take other forms.
Software instructions in the form of computer readable program code
to enable embodiments of the invention may be stored, in whole or
in part, temporarily or permanently, on a non-transitory computer
readable medium such as a CD, DVD, storage device, a diskette, a
tape, flash memory, physical memory, or any other computer readable
storage medium. For example, the software instructions may
correspond to computer readable program code that when executed by
a processor(s), is configured to design a system as described
herein, design a side plane, send alerts of operable connections,
and design the side plane.
Further, one or more elements of the aforementioned computing
system may be located at a remote location and connected to the
other elements over a network. Further, embodiments of the
invention may be implemented on a distributed system having a
plurality of nodes, where each portion of the invention may be
located on a different node within the distributed system. In one
embodiment of the invention, the node corresponds to a distinct
computing device. Alternatively, the node may correspond to a
computer processor with associated physical memory. The node may
alternatively correspond to a computer processor or micro-core of a
computer processor with shared memory and/or resources.
While the invention has been described with respect to a limited
number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of
this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be
devised which do not depart from the scope of the invention as
disclosed herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be
limited only by the attached claims.
* * * * *
References